The Mahoning County Republican Party is recommending Gov. John Kasich, a fellow Republican, choose among three registered Democrats to replace retiring Judge James C. Evans on the common pleas court bench.

“Our No. 1 obligation is to forward to the governor the names of the three most qualified applicants for the vacancy,” said county GOP Chairman Mark Munroe. “We did that. Political considerations are a part of this, but not the overriding part. These were the three best candidates.”

Judge Evans is retiring effective Sept. 1. Kasich could appoint a replacement in August, before Judge Evans’ retirement date, to allow his successor to immediately take over, Munroe said.

“It would be helpful if your office expedited the screening process to allow political parties and candidates time to prepare for a November election,” Munroe wrote in a letter to Kasich’s office.

An eight-member screening committee met Wednesday with each of the four candidates seeking the appointment.

The three recommended by the committee are:

Anthony M. D’Apolito of Poland, a county juvenile court magistrate and son of Judge Lou D’Apolito of common pleas court.

Shirley Christian of New Springfield, an attorney with Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell.

Comments

If you can't produce qualified republican candidate, then the only choice this area will have is to elect democrats. I think it is time for a change and replacement of the county GOP chairman, Mark Munroe.